When Hugh Jackman was hosting the Tony Awards, most people saw him as Wolverine, even though most in the audience see him vividly as The Boy from Oz. Hugh Jackman’s best story about this very realisation was in a moment where his character is about to kiss another man, someone in the audience shouted: “Don’t do it Wolverine!”

Neil Patrick Harris on stage reminded me of Barney Stinson, as I’m sure most people did. But Neil’s been…sorry, I’m just going to call him Doogs Snr., has been quite the Broadway actor. You could tell he was very comfortable on that stage, and I’m sure he’ll be at home typing on his old computer about how he learned something that day, pause and smile, then finish his sentence (Howser M.D. reference!).

This occurence of seeing actors for a role completely different happened yet again when Harry Potter walked on stage (See? You’re all thinking about Daniel Radcliffe, aren’t you?). This isn’t a bad thing. In fact, I’m sure it’s surprised many that an actor can work in more than one medium. Some, if anyone saw Brooke Shields’ mess-up, should stick to what they’re most comfortable with.

The Book of Mormon absolutely smashed it this year. Coming from the collected minds of South Park and Avenue Q, it was pretty obvious that it would cater to that specific audience. What the rest of the world didn’t expect was that same show making them laugh as well. If you read the previous blog about South Park possibly ending, you might’ve seen a glimpse of what their next stage of entertainment will revolve around.

The very nature of musicals shows where talented singers and dancers are most at home. As Doogs Snr. mentioned in the opening number, it’s like a 2-hour unmimed version of Glee.

The musical was based on the 19th Century legend of Sweeney Todd, who has been traced back to a real life barber! A man wronged by villainous Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman), Sweeney Todd, played by long time collaborator of Burton’s Johnny Depp, returns to London after being sent to prison, unjustly, by the Judge.

Sweeney opens a barber shop and vows to get his revenge, not only for that cruel punishment, but for the devastating consequences of what happened to his wife and daughter. We follow him as he starts to extract his revenge after the appealing Mrs Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter), Sweeney’s amorous accomplice, takes the shop next door. She’s not too fussy about what meat she puts in her pies and soon she gets the reputation of selling "the worst pies in London." With the help of Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney tries to rid the world of all the people who have ever done him wrong and hopes to be reunited with his daughter, Joanna, who is now Judge Turpin’s ward.

Here is the official Film Trailer, courtesy of the nice people at YouTube;

For those of you who didn’t know this is a full on musical, and Depp does a good job in the lead role. Fans of Broadway and Sondheim should relish this new adaptation and fans of Burton and Depp will be surprised at how much they like the musical style. This film is not for the squeamish, it is full of gore, but none the less it is wholly appropriate for the story.